Still time to have your say on non-emergency patient transport

on 29 July 2015.

There are just over three weeks left for people in Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull to give their views on proposals to create a new non-emergency patient transport service.

As part of the consultation, which runs until Friday 21 August, patients can attend one of the remaining drop-in sessions organised by Birmingham CrossCity Clinical Commissioning Group on the following dates:

Queen Elizabeth Hospital: Thursday 6 August from 10am to 4pm, in the atrium, main entrance

Good Hope Hospital: Thursday 6 August from 10am to 3pm, in the main corridor

Good Hope Hospital: Tuesday 11 August from 10am to 3pm, in the treatment centre, outpatients department

Solihull Hospital: Wednesday 12 August from 9.30am to 12.30pm, at the health information point, by the main entrance

Heartlands Hospital: Thursday 13 August from 10am to 3pm, by Boots chemist and Amigos, on the first floor

NHS-funded non-emergency patient transport helps eligible patients, who are unable to travel by private or public transport, get to and from healthcare services, such as routine hospital appointments. The service aims to give patients safe, timely and comfortable transport, and is available free of charge to eligible patients.

During the consultation, the public’s views are being sought on:

• The eligibility criteria• The standard of service that should be provided• A new Patient Charter• How the new patient transport service may affect patients • Any other suggestions, or alternative views on patient transport services or access to healthcare services more generally.

Dr Peter Ingham, Contracting Lead at Birmingham CrossCity CCG, said: “The existing contracts for non-emergency patient transport will be coming to an end soon, so we must take action to ensure there is no gap in service for our patients.

“This also gives us an opportunity to look at the quality of the non-emergency patient transport service. We want to make improvements, so that there is one universal service, which is high-quality and fairer for patients.

“We are urging people who have not yet had their say to make sure they make their voices heard by visiting one of our drop-in sessions, or filling in our questionnaire either online or by picking up a paper copy at their local GP surgery or hospital.”

More information on the consultation, including how to give your views, is available here